An attack by suspected herdsmen on the Benin-Ore expressway on Wednesday turned a religious trip into a terrifying ordeal, as gunmen abducted ten university students and shot two others travelling from Rivers State to Ogun.
The victims, students of Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, were part of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Fellowship heading to Babcock University for an Easter Convention when they were ambushed.
A source who spoke with journalists described the attack as a traumatic event and blamed a lack of security for the constant incidents of abduction in the area.
“University students from my state university and a sister university were kidnapped and some shot along Ore Road while on their way to Babcock University, Ogun State, today for their normal annual Easter Student Convention,” the source explained.
“These students turned out to be my Fellowship Students, National Association of Adventist Students (NAAS), and unfortunately, for me, some of my undergraduate friends and relatives were on this bus.”
The gunmen reportedly opened fire on the bus, forcing students to scatter. Some fled into the forest, while others were captured.
Two were shot, including one student who was rushed to the hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his back.
“He’s currently struggling even to survive after they removed the bullet this night, from what the doctor told me a few minutes ago.
“I saw people killed by herdsmen a few weeks ago along the ShopRite axis, Federal Secretariat bus stop. And I wept,” the source said, lamenting the recurring violence.
The attackers later contacted the families of the abducted students, demanding ₦15 million as ransom.
“They are demanding N15 million for those under their captivity. It happened. Some were even shot at and sustained lifetime injuries. And some managed to escape,” the source confirmed.
However, not all the missing students have been located. “10 are still in captivity. Some of the students, who made their way into the bush, are still wandering in the bush of Ore until now,” he added.
There’s growing suspicion about the role of the bus driver, who reportedly escaped the attack unscathed while the students were left to fend for themselves.
The Benin-Ore axis has become notorious for kidnappings and armed attacks. Despite mounting concerns, authorities have yet to respond effectively.
Repeated attempts to reach Ondo State Police spokesperson Odunlami Ibukun for comments were unsuccessful.